LIAM HIGHFIELD’s Crucible debut may have ended in defeat but the Swindon-born potter admits he did not think he would play again while lying in hospital a year ago.

The 27-year-old suffers from Crohn’s disease and was in hospital receiving treatment while Mark Selby won his third world title in Sheffield.

But with his illness under control, the 27-year-old returned to the tour and managed to qualify for the Betfred World Snooker Championship for the first time - where he lost 10-5 to Masters champion Mark Allen in the first round.

Northern Ireland’s Allen won four of the last five frames, but Highfield insists nothing can dampen his mood.

“This time last year I was in hospital so I did not think I would ever be here. To be honest, I did not think I would ever be competing again,” he said.

“It has been such an up and down year. It started so low but ended up here, so it is really nice for me. I have a had a lot of people stick by me in terms of hospital treatments.

“I am still in treatment now so that is something I will have to manage. In the future, I hope to make everyone proud and go really far here.

“Hopefully I can maybe win it one day.”

The Crucible is an intimidating venue but Highfield settled quickly despite falling 1-0 behind, with an early break of 99 securing his first frame.

Another frame-winning break of 80 kept him on Allen’s tail but the Masters winner accelerated with four straight frames to take the initiative.

Trailing 6-3, Highfield needed to take risks and he started well on Monday with a second 99 break and almost closed to 6-5 but missed a crucial brown.

And Allen closed it out, leaving Highfield to pack his bags.

“I really enjoyed it out there, I found it really comfortable. I was a bit surprised by how comfortable I felt in the first session,” he added.

“I expected not to be able to pot a ball if I am honest before it started. I think Mark played really well so it made my task even tougher.

“It is a great feeling. I have watched lots of other players walk out, hoping I can be there one day, but it is something I have now ticked off the list.

“In that frame at 6-4, I like to go for my shots and I decided to take the green on and potted it but I landed too close to the brown on the cushion which made it hard.

“Had that have gone in, I would have been on the blue and it would have been 6-5 so a totally different match. But I played a strong player, he deserved to win.”

Watch the snooker World Championship LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.